Does anyone know anything about going to Iceland?

[Lamona]

The country not the orangutan loving supermarket...
When is the best time to go?
3 priorities are

1. Chance we might see the Northern Lights
2. Whales
3. Puffins

I went in November and didn't see any of those on your list, was still amazing though!

Seeing 2 and 3 in the same trip are mutually exclusive. I can't remember the best time of year but a quick Google will tell you. We went for the northern lights but didn't see them so be prepared that you won't be lucky. There are other fun things though like the blue lagoon, the waterfall, geysers. It's very expensive and the food is not great. I did recommend it though, we had a good time.

I visited puffin island in Anglesey and didn't see puffins either. Not too lucky me.

1 & 3 sorry

Tons of puffins to be seen on Rathlin Island, a quick ferry journey off the north coast of NI, plus whales around the area if you're lucky!

Those aren't the only things we want to see! But I'm assuming waterfalls, lagoon, geothermal pools, glaciers and generally the amazing landscape is there all year round. We wouldn't go in the depths of winter due to DD3 and not liking the cold very much!
We were thinking March, April or September...?

We went in January didn’t see the lights though
We stayed in the galaxy pod hostel, great place walking distance to rekjavick central great atmosphere
Can be quite expensive definitely try one of the public swimming pools 👍

You can see puffins in the UK!

I went last year for new year and it was incredible. Loved every minute of it even if the temperature was down to -14 most days!! The country is just stunning and the people are so friendly. We had 4 nights there and it was enough. The golden circle tour is amazing and see lots of beautiful things. We didn’t go whale watching as it was rough seas and I’m already not great on boats but there were plenty of trips for those that wanted to go out. The blue lagoon is expensive but in my opinion worth every penny. We spent most of the day there just lounging around in the amazing hot waters.

We were fortunate enough to see the northern lights. It was classed as a highly active night and if I am totally honest I was under whelmed by them. Stupidly I thought they would be green and moving like you see on the tv but in reality they look like grey clouds. The only way you can get a decent photo is with a tripod and an app if you use your phone or a dsl camera on the right exposure setting. Don’t go just for the lights iceland is awesome and if you do get to see them it’s a bonus.

We went in February, we sadly didn't see the Northern Lights but it's an amazing country.

I went in March and saw the Lights. Went whale watching but didn't see any, as with the Lights its just luck.

I went to the falls, it is frozen in winter so less moving water, but still beautiful. Geyzers were fabulous and the blue lagoon is a must. The national park where the techtonic plates join was potentially less spectacular under a blanket of snow, but still very interesting to see.

The roads are closed in winter to the volcano- thats the only thing I can think of that you'll miss out on.

If you want to see the northern lights, you'll have to go in winter. Puffins won't be in season and there's no guarantee you'll see whales. We went in April, barely caught the lights and it never got above 2° C during the day. Food and drink and excursions were absurdly expensive (€15 for a beer in our v basic hotel).

But... it was amazing! The scenery. The people were so friendly. (Prepare to be mocked about football though ) Though expensive, the food was excellent everywhere we went. Culturally, socially, historically, it's a fascinating place and the Icelandic museum in Reykjavik is worth a visit. The shoping is pretty good in Reykjavik if that's your thing. You can go snowmobiling on a glacier or stand where tectonic plates meet. Also, it's a frequent stopover point for transatlantic flights, so we met people from many nationalities, which was fun. And we were only there for 4 nights!

I went on a day trip nearly 20 years ago. It was February and I expected to see more snow than I did. The Blue Lagoon was great as was our sightseeing trip to a fishing village which was deserted. The Hallgrimskirkja was something else. The views from The Pearl were fabulous, it was very windy and impossible to walk outside. I'd love to go for longer.

We went in mid July. Saw loads of whales as this is the time when they arrive there to breed. It was a surreal experience as it's constant daylight in Iceland at that time of year. Absolutely loved it.

Gorgeously, wonderful country. I went in May, saw whales and puffins (and dolphins iirc) etc on day 1, Blue Lagoon on day 2, then Golden Triangle (waterfalls, craters and plated day 3.

For the Northern Lights, you must go in winter.

I highly recommend the Perlan restaurant, Akureyri (sp), and doing the Golden Triangle tour. I used the imaginatively titled thisisiceland.co.uk whilst out there.

You’ll love it- it is brilliantly quirky, fresh and original!

We've been a few times in Winter, still haven't seen the lights despite perfect conditions.

Didn't see whales or puffins either but ate them. Wouldn't advise either

Sorry, meant Golden Circle. Have also visited Golden Triangle (India) when during my youth. On my own, v interesting but scary!

Amazing country and no such thing as too cold just inappropriate dress.
We went in February. Minus 23 at times. Blizzards. Exciting driving across national park. Truly awesome. Other worldly.
We saw the lights. Just amazing.
Swimming outside in a river when it’s snowing is also incredible but I’d maybe stick to the excellent public pools in Reykjavik, with younger children. Snowmobiles across the glacier were also huge fun.
Too rough for boat rides when we were there and some roads to the north were closed. Geysers were more interesting than I thought they’d be. Blue lagoon was less tacky than imagined. Food was a bit hit and miss.

I went in the summer and the kids (teens) and I loved it. We did a driving tour from Reyjavik, after a whale watching tour and the sights, up to and into the glacier, then round the golden circle then back to the blue lagoon. It was amazing. Warm and sunny. Geo thermal river bathing, glaciers, geysirs and parting tectonic plates, staying in an apartment in Reyjavik, a log cabin with spa, hotel etc. Its very sunny and cool in the summer.

I'd love to go again and drive the whole way round the island. We still talk about the experience.

We saw 2 &3 in August.

By the way, I booked via Evaneos with a local travel agent. They booked all the car rental, accommodation, special trips and they gave me a mobile phone mapped in with all the accommodation, routes and recommended places to eat. Driving is simple - one main road round the whole island.

Amazing place. Food unbelievably expensive £38 for a main course £16 for a glass of wine...

Winter for Northern lights and best enjoyed by taking a DLR or SLR camera and playing around with capturing with long exposure.

Tour the island if you can. Mid winter it might be impassable with snow so try in October.

Went very early spring and was surprised how warm it was - able to sit outside at cafes etc. Went touring about all the natural wonders and to The Blue Lagoon (pre booked massages etc). Reykjavik was a great place, sophisticated artisan craft shops and great cafes and bars.
Only drawback about Iceland is the cost of Alcohol. Make use of 'happy hours' and bring a couple of bottles of wine in from duty free if you like a drink.

We went in August, so the Lights were out. But against that we visited Thrihnukargigur the hollow volcano, Blue Lagoon, Gullfoss, Geysir, saw whales, met an Arctic fox. We stayed at the Leifur Eiriksson opposite the Hallgrimskirkja. I snorkelled the Crack in the World at Silfra, one hand on America, the other on Europe. It isn't cheap to do Iceland, but it's unforgettable.

The fox being tickled by a friend

Went in summer and didn't manage any of the things you mention but it was fab. The Golden Circle was amazing as was the Blue Lagoon, and Reykjavik was great to walk around (don't miss the Phallological Museum).